Testimony begins in Coe's civil commitment trial

Coe's Commitment Trial

After being released from prison, convicted South Hill Rapist, Kevin Coe, faces a civil commitment hearing. KHQ has compiled several documents, stories and videos that offer perspective on this important news story.>>

After being released from prison, the convicted South Hill Rapist, Kevin Coe, faces a civil commitment hearing. KHQ has compiled several documents, stories and videos that offer perspective on this important news story in the Inland Northwest.>>

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SPOKANE, Wash. - One by one they took the stand, telling the court the awful memories that remain from nearly 30 years ago. The witnesses brought painful emotion to the courtroom on the first day of proceedings in Kevin Coe's civil commitment trial.

One woman, who was 16-years-old at the time Spokane was paralyzed by fear of the South Hill Rapist, said she accepted a ride home from a stranger who later sexually assaulted her in the front seat of his car. She identified the man as Kevin Coe from the pages of a 1965 Lewis and Clark High School yearbook.

That particular victim's mother chose not to go forward with prosecuting the case. Coe was never charged for that crime that the state says he committed.

Also in the court on Monday, lawyers showed a videotaped deposition taken two months ago. During that deposition, Coe told lawyers he mistakenly entered an apartment on the South Hill, thinking it was a friend's apartment in California. He said a mix of allergy medicines and alcohol made him hallucinate. The woman who lived there said otherwise and described waking up to a man half-naked on top of her. Coe said he never removed his clothes. A police officer testified Coe was arrested for burglary and indecent liberties.

Another woman testified Monday in gruesome detail what happened to her. She was one of a handful of women who said they were attacked near a bus stop but never identified Coe. She said she was too afraid to point out her aggressor, but now - nearly three decades later - she is positive it was Coe who assaulted her.

Monday was the first day of Coe's trial that could take a considerable amount of time. Lawyers for the State will try to show Coe should be civilly committed, arguing he was someone who plotted out his attacks over and over again and could do it again if released.

Coe's defense attorneys argued their client was convicted for a single rape of one woman in 1981, and that one rape does not make him a serial rapist.

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants to warn you about a grizzly bear that's been roaming around the Athol and Garwood area. Multiple people have reported seeing it, and wildlife officers have set up a trap to catch it, but so far they've been having trouble finding it. KHQ spoke with one woman who says the bear walked through her yard.

KOOTENAI COUNTY, Idaho - The Idaho Department of Fish and Game wants to warn you about a grizzly bear that's been roaming around the Athol and Garwood area. Multiple people have reported seeing it, and wildlife officers have set up a trap to catch it, but so far they've been having trouble finding it. KHQ spoke with one woman who says the bear walked through her yard.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Authorities say eight people were killed in a crash involving two vehicles in the high desert of eastern Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the head-on collision happened after 10 a.m. Monday on Oregon Route 78 southeast of the small town of Burns. Oregon State Police Capt.

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - Authorities say eight people were killed in a crash involving two vehicles in the high desert of eastern Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the head-on collision happened after 10 a.m. Monday on Oregon Route 78 southeast of the small town of Burns. Oregon State Police Capt.

I'm more of a dog person, but if there is a place that is willing to pay me to live on an island in Greece and take care of cats, I'll become a feline fanatic. Well, there is someone offering such a job right now and they claim it's a real opening. God's Little People Cat Rescue posted on Facebook that they are looking for someone who can look after 55 cats on a little Greek island paradise called Syros.

I'm more of a dog person, but if there is a place that is willing to pay me to live on an island in Greece and take care of cats, I'll become a feline fanatic. Well, there is someone offering such a job right now and they claim it's a real opening. God's Little People Cat Rescue posted on Facebook that they are looking for someone who can look after 55 cats on a little Greek island paradise called Syros.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash.- A flag football league in Spokane Valley is preparing for their first practice next week but organizers say they can't help but feel disappointed because someone suddenly vandalized the fields they have put so much work into. "We're pretty disappointed, a little beat up," said Jeff Miller, the Director for Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading.

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash.- A flag football league in Spokane Valley is preparing for their first practice next week but organizers say they can't help but feel disappointed because someone suddenly vandalized the fields they have put so much work into. "We're pretty disappointed, a little beat up," said Jeff Miller, the Director for Upward Flag Football and Cheerleading.

PINEVILLE, N.C. - A pregnant woman shopping at Staples says she was confronted about what she was concealing beneath her shirt: "Twins," she said. Sherell Bates tells WSOC-TV she was at the register paying for back-to-school supplies Friday when a police officer had her step aside and explain what was under her shirt.

PINEVILLE, N.C. - A pregnant woman shopping at Staples says she was confronted about what she was concealing beneath her shirt: "Twins," she said. Sherell Bates tells WSOC-TV she was at the register paying for back-to-school supplies Friday when a police officer had her step aside and explain what was under her shirt.

MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. - Officials say the Silver Lake Fire west of Spokane is now 20 percent contained and about 100 acres in size. Level 2 evacuation notices remain in place for Granite Lake South Road to Salnave Road in Cheney. Crews have a line around the fire and will continue to strengthen it throughout the day and into the nighttime hours.

MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. - Officials say the Silver Lake Fire west of Spokane is now 20 percent contained and about 100 acres in size. Level 2 evacuation notices remain in place for Granite Lake South Road to Salnave Road in Cheney. Crews have a line around the fire and will continue to strengthen it throughout the day and into the nighttime hours.